Proxy Fight

The latest chapter in the Faso-Weld gubernatorial contest here at the GOP convention in Garden City may be played out in the form of a proxy battle.

Committee members from some counties, including Orange, are said to be seeking to take back the proxy votes they earlier gave to party Chairman Bill DeProspo since they now support Faso over Weld.

(Remember: DeProspo was the one who wrote that letter to fellow chairs deeming Faso too “extreme” to be the party’s candidate, and that having him on the ticket would hurt other Republicans).

Leaders of other county committees, including some in the Southern Tier such as Broome County say they and their commitees remain solidly behind Weld, who has the backing of state Chairman Stephen Minarik and the behind-the-scenes support of Gov. George Pataki.

One continuing unknown is who Nassau County Chairman Joseph Mondello and his committee, with 10.45 percent of the weighted vote will back. Some observers say Mondello may wait until after the first round of voting on Thursday to see which way the political winds are blowing.Â